• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Yellow Bliss Road

Easy, approachable and family friendly recipes for any home cook.

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact
    • FAQs
    • Disclosure
    • Sharing Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility
  • Collaborate
  • Signup >
Display Search Bar
  • Recipes
    • View ALL Recipes
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Asian
    • Beverages
      • Smoothies
      • Cocktails
    • Bread
    • Breakfast Recipes
      • Casseroles
      • Egg Recipes
      • Muffins
      • Pancakes
    • Desserts
      • Brownies and Bars
      • Cake and Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Fruit Desserts
      • No Bake Desserts
    • Dinner
      • Casseroles
      • Easy Weeknight Dinners
      • One Pot Meals
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Chicken
      • Beef
      • Seafood
    • Lunch
      • Easy Weekday Lunches
      • School Lunches
    • Cooking Method
      • Air Fryer
      • On the Grill
      • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
      • Slow Cooker
    • Dips and Sauces
    • Mexican
    • Sandwiches
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
      • Vegetables
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soups and Stews
  • Holiday Recipes
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Halloween
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Easter
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Seasonal Recipes
      • Fall
      • Spring
      • Summer
  • Free Printables
    • Christmas
    • Thanksgiving
    • Halloween
    • Easter
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Fourth of July
    • School
    • Birthdays
  • Home/Crafts/DIY
    • Crafts and DIY
    • Gift Ideas
    • Home Decor
    • Photography Tips
  • Family
    • Adoption
      • My Adoption Story
    • Birthdays
    • Travel
Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Instagram!

Home » Recipes » Beer Can Chicken

Beer Can Chicken

Published on June 7, 2019, Updated April 1, 2020 by Kristin Maxwell | Leave a Comment

337shares
  • 2
  • 335
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Learn how to make Beer Can Chicken on the grill. Also called Beer Butt Chicken, It’s guaranteed to be tender and juicy on the inside with a crispy, flavorful skin on the outside.

I want to share with you a favorite recipe of mine – Beer Can Chicken! It is a great summertime grilling staple, and I hope you enjoy it as much as my family and I do. It’s perfection, especially when served with some of our favorite summer side dishes, like Best Ever Classic Macaroni Salad and Grilled Zucchini.

A whole chicken cooking on the grill while sitting on top of a beer can.

Beer Can Chicken

Before I had ever attempted to make this recipe, I was always skeptical. Could the beer really make a difference when grilling a whole chicken? Well let me tell you it sure does!!! It keeps it moist and even though, in my opinion, you don’t actually taste the beer, you know it’s the key to this chicken being so scrumptious. Plus the can of beer helps the bird sit up right on your grill. I use this nifty wrack that holds the beer can and chicken so it doesn’t topple over, but it’s not necessary to have.

One of the best things about this recipe is that once it’s on the grill, you have a good amount of time to get all the other loose ends tied up before dinner is served. So that’s when I like to set the table, finish up any sides I’m making, and maybe fold a load of laundry! The less hectic it is getting dinner on the table, the better!

I like to keep the seasoning pretty simple on my version of the beer can chicken because it doesn’t need a lot of seasoning to help out with the flavor. But you can try any type of dry seasoning that makes your mouth water. Possibilities are endless! Now all that’s left to do is grill this recipe up yourself and enjoy!

A whole chicken sitting on top of a beer can on a grill

Does Beer Can Chicken Actually Work?

Beer can chicken requires beer in a can. The beer taste is minimal but it really does keep the chicken incredibly moist and juicy as it steams. The garlic in the beer definitely smells amazing and also adds flavor.

Wondering if beer can chicken is safe? Check out this article that talks about the BPA in the beer can.

What kind of beer should be used?

When choosing a beer for your beer butt chicken, think of flavors that are commonly used with the meat. Lemon and other citrus, or sour flavors pair well. Malty beers (low on hops) and wheat beers work well, and so do other fruity flavors.

The top of a chicken sitting on a beer can that's been cooked on the grill | beer can chicken

How to Make Beer Can Chicken (aka Beer Butt Chicken)

  1. You will want to start by pre-heating your outdoor grill to medium heat, about 375-400 degrees F.
  2. Dump or drink (totally your choice here) about a third of a can of beer (pick your favorite). There should be about 2/3 left in the can. Add a couple of garlic cloves to the beer in the can.
  3. Prepare the whole chicken. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place it on top of the beer can by inserting the can into the cavity of the chicken. Rub the entire bird with olive oil, then rub salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and garlic powder all over the skin. Place lemon wedges inside the neck of the chicken (it will stick out slightly).
  4. Place the beer can chicken on the grill, not directly over a flame. Cook for an hour and a half or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh reaches 165 degrees F.
  5. Carefully remove from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes before removing beer can and carving.

Serving suggestions

You’ve got plenty of time to whip up some killer side dishes! Here are some of our favorites:

  • Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
  • Broccoli Salad
  • How to Make Garlic Bread
  • Grilled Potatoes Recipe
  • Easy Baked Potato Wedges
  • Slow Cooker Mexican Beans

What to do with leftovers

Leftover chicken should be cooled completely before storing in an airtight container. Use leftovers for dishes that call for shredded chicken. Reheat in the microwave if needed, but this chicken is even delicious cold!

To freeze, wrap leftover beer can chicken tightly in plastic wrap then place in a freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 3-4 months.

A cast iron skillet with a whole chicken cut up into quarters, with parsley and lemon

You might also enjoy these chicken recipes:

  • Citrus Grilled Chicken
  • Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken
  • Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
  • Baked Chicken Breast

For more chicken recipes, go HERE. For all dinner recipes go HERE and for all recipes go HERE.

Beer Can Chicken

Keturah
Learn how to make Beer Can Chicken on the grill. It's guaranteed to be tender and juicy on the inside with a crispy, flavorful skin on the outside.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 1 hr 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
Servings 4 servings
Calories 454 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds whole chicken
  • 12 ounce can of beer Your favorite
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Half a lemon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat, about 375-400 degrees F.
  • Dump or drink 1/3 of the bee,r leaving 2/3 of the beer remaining in the can. Add 2 garlic cloves to the beer.
  • In a small bowl mix together salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
  • Pat the chicken dry and place it on top of the beer can by inserting it into the chickens cavity so that the bird is sitting upright.
  • Rub the entire bird with olive oil, then rub with dry seasoning mixture.
  • Place lemon wedge inside the top of the chicken sticking out slightly.
  • Place bird right side up on the grill NOT in direct flames. Cook for 1.5 hours or until thermometer inserted into the thigh reads 165 degrees F. (*I like to rotate the chicken around halfway through the cooking time).
  • Remove from grill and let sit for 10 minutes before removing beer can and carving.

Nutrition

Calories: 454kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 31gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 409mgPotassium: 332mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 230IUVitamin C: 3.1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1.6mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Beer can chicken pinterest friendly image

Beer Can Chicken - Use beer or soda for this moist and tender whole chicken dinner on the grill!

Beer Can Chicken- Great for summertime grilling! Moist grilled chicken that is easy to grill and will please everyone at dinnertime! Beer Can Chicken- Great for summertime grilling! Moist grilled chicken that is easy to grill and will please everyone at dinnertime!

Beer Can Chicken- Great for summertime grilling! Moist grilled chicken that is easy to grill and will please everyone at dinnertime!

Previous Post
Next Post

About Kristin Maxwell

Kristin Maxwell is the creator and main recipe developer, writer, and photographer of Yellow Bliss Road. A self-taught cook and self-appointed foodie, she specializes in easy, flavorful and approachable recipes for any home cook. Read more about Kristin HERE.

5 Secrets to Dinnertime Sanity

free email bonus
Tested, Tasted & Terrific!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I’m KRISTIN!

I'm a busy wife and mom who loves to cook, bake and create. All of the recipes and tips you will find here are created with your busy family (and mine!) in mind.

Read More »
Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Twitter! Follow me on Instagram! Email me!

5 Secrets to Dinnertime Sanity

free email bonus
Tested, Tasted & Terrific!

Mexican Food Faves

  • How to Make Authentic Mexican Rice
  • A close up of Beef Enchiladas topped with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro Ground Beef Enchiladas
  • Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Mexican Chicken Casserole
  • mexican street corn dip, a hand holding a tortilla chip, roasted corn, cotija cheese and cilantro on top. image for social media Hot Mexican Corn Dip
  • A cast iron skillet with Steak Fajitas Tender and Juicy Steak Fajitas
  • Healthy Chicken Fajita Bowls with Rice
  • Turkey Taco Stuffed Peppers

All-Time Favorites

  • Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
  • How to Make Authentic Mexican Rice
  • All-Natural Mattress Cleaner – How to Clean Odors and Stains from Your Mattress
  • A close up of cheesy scalloped potatoes Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes (Au Gratin)
  • Healthy Ground Turkey Teriyaki Rice Bowl
  • Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
  • Cheesecake Cookies
  • One Pot Cheesy Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet

Yellow Bliss Road, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Browse Around

  • Chicken
  • On the Grill
  • Pasta
  • Dinner
  • Soups
  • Sides
  • Salads
  • Desserts
Follow me on Facebook! Follow me on Pinterest! Follow me on Instagram!
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Collaborate
  • Privacy & Copyright
  • Recipes by Category
Copyright © 2021 Yellow Bliss RoadTheme by Once Coupled